Hipodromo fire razes 3 houses

CEBU, Philippines - Three houses including an apartment were razed while three others were damaged by fire in Sitio Kahipa, Barangay Hipodromo, Cebu City shortly before noon yesterday leaving at least three families homeless.

The Cebu City Fire Department received the fire alarm at 10:41 a.m. It was declared under control four minutes later. Fire marshal Aderson Comar said the fire started at the room rented by siblings Kevin and Che-che Burgos in an apartment.

The apartment was owned by the mother of Emiliano and Leonardo Trinidad whose respective houses were also reduced into ashes.

Comar said the houses of Lydie Luwagi, PO2 Soriano Luwagi and Carlito Luwagi were also damaged by the fire. Comar estimated the damage at P120,000.

Lydie believes that yesterday’s incident was a case of arson. She claimed to have seen a suspicious looking woman inside the room where the fire started. Lydie told The FREEMAN that minutes after she noticed the suspicious woman the fire broke out.

Emiliano, 62, said they were having their late breakfast when their neighbors noticed the thick smoke coming out from the apartment owned by his mother. Emiliano and the other victims are temporarily staying with their relatives.  (FREEMAN)